Welcome to spring! The flowers are beginning to bloom and of course, it’s been raining like crazy. Lucky for me in a way that there was only parcel this week – a win from Allen & Unwin. It’s a copy of Palo Alto by James Franco and tickets to see the movie. The stories are about a group of teenagers and their problems – friends, family and vices. Sounds (and looks good)! Thank you.

But I haven’t finished yet. You see, I did some ordering of the Romance Writers of Australia RuBY (romantic book of the year) finalist and winning books because they’ll be fun and happy. Plus, free shipping…couldn’t resist!

Fiona Lowe’s Gold Coast Angels: Bundle of Trouble (finalist) is a romance between a plastic surgeon and nurse. The said bundle of trouble is his daughter. This book also came with a second story by Amy Andrews, Gold Coast Angels: How to Resist Temptation. This is a romance between two doctors – I’ve read Amy’s books before so this will be enjoyable and funny! One Life Changing Moment by Lucy Clark won the short sweet romance category for this novel about a single mum surgeon and a man from her past who saved her… Her Favourite Rival by Sarah Mayberry was a winner for long romance – this is about an office romance that turns into competition when only one person can get the desired for promotion. The second book, The Doctor Returns by Stella MacLean reunites a nurse and doctor with a past – can their relationship make it past the secrets? What the Bride Didn’t Know by Kelly Hunter was the winner for short sexy romance, no wonder as it involves secret special ops missions and a fake marriage in Istanbul. The One She Was Warned About by Shoma Narayanan reunites Shweta with the bad boy from her past – he’s changed completely but can she resist him? One Secret Night by Yvonne Lindsay was a finalist for the same category, involving secrets, a winery and the need to keep a girl quiet… The second book, A Trap So Tender by Jennifer Lewis involves business, horses and a bet.

Leah Ashton won the RITA award for Short Contemporary Romance with Why Resist a Rebel?, which is a major prize AND she’s a local West Aussie author, so I had to buy this. It’s a story about two actors on an Outback set and a hero who can’t work out what she wants. This story came paired with The Guy to Be Seen With by Fiona Harper, about a rejected proposal and the race to catch a newly single adventurer. Next up was The Chatsfield: Billionaire’s Secret by Chantelle Shaw (August’s release and incredibly difficult to find at the shops!). This story in the series involves Nicolo Chatsfield, a man with a painful past and Sophie, who thought she just wanted him for a meeting – but ends up with more. A Prior Engagement by Karina Bliss was a RuBY finalist, involving a former POW and the woman who rejected him. So, he fakes amnesia after he finds out she’s been playing at the ‘poor almost-bride’! Once a Champion by Jeannie Watt is a story about a high school crush and a reunion. The heroine is a physiotherapist, which is a nice change! Finally, I saw Sarah MacLean on a Book Riot Quarterly Box, so decided to try A Rogue by Any Other Name. It’s a historical romance that involves London’s underworld.

I must be one of the only people around who haven’t watched The Lizzie Bennet Diaries in full but I couldn’t resist the book of the series, The Secret Diary of Lizzie Bennet by Bernie Su and Kate Rorick, because P&P, you know? Finally, Telegraph Avenue by Michael Chabon has been on my wish list for ages – it looks like an interesting story of records, music, relationships and tragedy.

Awesome romance books in your mailbox! I need to get some romance recs from you. I haven’t watched all of the Lizzie Bennett Diaries either but I also have the book – maybe it’ll inspire both of us to watch it! Have a good week 🙂

Oh, what an interesting mailbox! I heard really great things about Telegraph Avenue; I’ve never read the author myself, but I am still interested by the book. I got the Lizzie Bennet book as audio some weeks ago and I hope I can get to it soon, but I wanted to rewatch the series first.
Enjoy your new books and happy reading!